You Probably Got Confused While Reading the Title. It’s OK. We Got you! And After All - Why Shouldn’t You?
These terms are so similar that of course, some confusion might arise. Telehealth, telemedicine, and telecare are concepts that have grown in popularity thanks to the developments of technology in the healthcare sector.
Technology is here to stay and so is the healthcare industry. It’s at least obvious that we all encounter the doctor’s office at least once a year for our annual checkups. However, for those who are not that fortunate, visiting the doctor’s office becomes a necessity that requires time and money. But, here virtual healthcare can come and save the day, as doctors can monitor their patients from the comfort of their homes and give them advice on what steps should they take next.
Think about how some of us need to incorporate a special diet into our nutrition. Getting rid of all eating habits can be daunting and overwhelming, but with the support of your healthcare professional, you can achieve your goal easier.
The evolution of virtual health has a long history ahead of us, in the 1879s an article from Lancet talks about how doctors can replace unnecessary visits with talking over the phone with a specialist. Even more so, in the early 1900s, the radio began to be used as a form of communication between doctors and clinics on ships. Also, in this period we have a Radio News Magazin that features an illustration of a doctor discussing with his patient via a video call. At that time it was only fiction, but almost a century later, video calls became a normality.
Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, and it leads to misunderstandings about what they represent. We are here to shed some light on those terms!
What is Telehealth?
Well, telehealth is the general term for remote healthcare services. Specifically, it includes any sort of health-related service provided via a telecommunication platform. You can think of any non-clinical services such as providing training, administrative meetings remote monitoring, or even health education initiatives. The main objective of telehealth is to provide patients with the opportunity to learn regardless of their physical location. And it’s a great development!
We mentioned how patients might receive medical treatment without going to the location of the clinic or hospital. This is especially crucial for persons who live in remote regions or have mobility issues. We can also add individuals with busy schedules here. And let’s not forget that people have iatrophobia (fear of doctors), so a remote consultation is more up their alley.
So, an example of telehealth would be when your healthcare professionals give you resources to access and learn more about your condition.
Telemedicine Is a Subset of Telehealth
This one focuses on the technology part that we mentioned earlier. Let’s see exactly how it works. It is frequently used to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Mental health could be another area where it provides great value. How? With the help of remote diagnosis combined with electronic health records and video consultations. And it’s great because it may aid in the reduction of healthcare expenditures. In-person consultations and hospital visits are way more expensive. You probably know that. It can also improve patient outcomes because it allows for more regular monitoring and individualized therapy.
Pictures this: you pay two or three times less for an online consultation rather than a physical one. You probably might think that it’s not as efficient, but we would have to disagree there. If you are honest with your doctor, we can’t see this not working.
Ok, But How About Telecare?
We are sorry to disappoint you, but telecare is more or less the same thing as telemedicine. It also refers to technology, but this time is the one that helps consumers to stay safe and healthy in their own homes. Fitness apps exercise tracking apps, and digital medication reminder systems are some of the technologies that come to mind. It can get confusing, we know! But we hope you now have some key differentiators.
Why it Matters, Though?
Knowing the difference between these similar-written concepts is crucial. Why? Because each of these services offers distinct advantages to its patients. So stick with us here, as we will showcase the differentiators that truly matter. This way, we are sure that you will make better-educated decisions.
Let’s explore some examples. A patient with a chronic condition may benefit the most from telemedicine, which gives him continual monitoring and assistance to better manage their disease. A patient who requires a diagnosis for a health concern, on the other hand, would benefit the most from telehealth because it allows him to have a virtual consultation with a healthcare practitioner. And in the end, telecare is great for people who have a lot of medicine to take daily and do not have the time to keep track of everything.
But the bottom line is this. Telemedicine, telehealth, and telecare are three essential components of the healthcare system. While these names are sometimes used interchangeably, they each relate to a distinct sort of service that offers different advantages to patients. Now it’s time you decide which one works best for you.
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